Tree of the Month: Yoshino Cherry
Cherry Blossoms
While there are many shapes and sizes of cherry blossom trees, the most popular cultivar among them is the Yoshino cherry blossom—a medium-height tree with a stout crown that, for a few weeks in mid-spring, bursts into bloom with bunches of blushing white flowers. Here, we’ll go over this cultivar’s background, the conditions it thrives in, as well as some suggestions on where you can enjoy this tree’s spectacular display in Nashville this spring.
A Brief History of the Cherry Blossom
Tree flower viewing has been a yearly festival for centuries in East Asia, where the spring flowers of both plum and cherry trees are admired for their color—from white to pink, magenta, and every shade in between. Medieval Japan settled on the cherry tree as the preferred species for hanami, the traditional Japanese cherry blossom viewing celebration, and over time, the Yoshino cultivar was produced and chosen as a favorite variety of the species.
While blossom viewing festivals were widespread in Japan for over a thousand years before they became popular in the English-speaking world, they were introduced into America at the beginning of the early twentieth century by an interested Washington, DC resident by the name of Eliza Scidmore. Her interest in the trees, which she saw on her travels in Japan as a journalist, led to Scidmore suggesting to First Lady Helen Taft, who was looking to beautify the city with new tree plantings, that she use cherry blossom trees.
When she shared her plan, the government of Japan offered a gift of 3,000 specimens to be planted in 1912. Since then, gifts of cherry trees to cities by the people of Japan have helped spread this ornamental tree across the U.S., as well as the associated hanami viewing practice. This is how Nashville received a large number of cherry blossoms in 2008; when the Japanese consulate-general for the South-Central United States moved its location from New Orleans to Nashville that year, they gave their new host city a gift of 1,000 cherry blossom trees that were planted over the following decade.
The Yoshino Cherry Cultivar
The Yoshino cherry tree’s scientific name is Prunus x yedoensis, a hybrid of two other types of Japanese cherry trees. To maintain its signature powder-pink coloration, Yoshino cherry tree branches are grafted to rootstock to produce a new Yoshino cherry.
Since these ornamental trees are famous for their particular flowers, which nurseries want to maintain, the trees are bred to produce only the smallest of berries. Not only does this keep the tree’s energy focused on producing an abundance of flowers, but it also keeps this non-native species from spreading invasively. In addition, since these trees don’t produce the big, juicy berries that we love to eat fresh, in pies, or on top of ice cream, a Yoshino’s tiny berries don’t make a mess when they fall under the trees, keeping the ground clear for visitors to enjoy the space.
Even though the Yoshino tree berries are too small and bitter for people to eat, they are still a source of nutrition and energy for birds, butterflies, other insects, and some small mammals. The medium-sized trees also provide cover and vertical refuge for wildlife to keep them off the ground, providing a place to safely rest.
The branches and trunks of the trees are of medium thickness, and they have a medium to dark brown color. The bark is smooth and tends to have horizontal texturing. After the dark green summer leaves change color and the blazing autumnal leaves drop, the Yoshino cherry tree’s slim build and dark wood provide some visual interest throughout winter. The stout crown grows about as wide as the tree grows tall, which is usually 30 to 40 feet. Corresponding to its medium size, the tree has a shorter lifespan than big canopy trees, living, on average, for about 20 years (though they can live many decades longer with proper care).
Yoshino cherry trees prefer full sun exposure, and they are somewhat drought tolerant, meaning they can endure a sunny urban life. If it gets too dry out, however, a Yoshino will need a little extra watering. In terms of the soil it’s planted in, the tree prefers a well-draining yet moisture-retaining soil of any type.
Cherry Blossom Viewing
The hanami experience is about being immersed in an encompassing atmosphere of the flowering trees, which is realized by planting them in small groves or along walkways and streets. This allows individuals to stroll through the fragrant white canopy or gather under the trees with family, friends, and others who are reveling in the showy surroundings.
Yoshino cherry tree flowers are around for just two or three weeks (at the end of March and beginning of April in Nashville), at the end of which period the trees perform their second act—as the petals are shed, they collect under the trees and blanket the ground. Grass is up by this time, so this velvety, pinkish cover provides an interesting contrast against the surrounding ground. After the last flowers have dropped, the tree’s leaves will have come in for the summer.
Where to See a Yoshino Cherry Around Nashville?
Nashvillians can partake in the Japanese springtime activity of cherry blossom viewing thanks to the widespread planting of these beautiful trees across the city. While you can find individual trees planted here and there in residential yards, there are a few ways to engage with area plantings in the city:
Shelby Avenue Arboretum: Nashville Tree Conservation Corps is the lead steward of the public arboretum along Shelby Avenue, which contains over 100 cherry blossom trees, many of which line both sides of South 12th street.
Sylvan Park: A significant number of cherry trees can be found lining the streets of Murphy Road, Princeton Avenue, and Central Avenue just west of downtown.
Downtown Japanese consulate plantings: The Japanese consulate’s trees were planted near the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville Public Square Park, right next to the Cumberland River, to beautify the city center in spring and throughout the rest of the year.
The Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival: The 2024 festival is being held on Saturday, April 13th in Nashville Public Square Park, where visitors can find various activities and treats available to enjoy and celebrate the cherry blossom tree and the arrival of spring!
Blossom With Nashville Cherry Trees This Spring!
Though the weather remains turbulent, the warmth and splendor of spring are getting closer every day. Whether you plan on partaking in the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival this year or simply wish to explore these beautiful trees at your own pace, check out the 2024 Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival interactive Tree Planting Project map, featuring photos and descriptions of all cherry blossom tree planting locations in Nashville parks and neighborhoods.
Nashville Tree Conservation Corps’ executive director, Ginger Hausser, was recently featured on NewsChannel 5 Nashville to promote the local Cherry Blossom Festival this year! Check it out.
If you’re interested in adding one or more trees to your yard, consider buying one through the NTCC’s tree sale! Or volunteer with us to help get trees in the ground across the city of Nashville. Subscribe to our newsletter (if you haven’t already!) to stay updated with regular tree news and care tips.